Entire Annual Report - Anglo American Platinum

Platinum Market Review" (continued)platinum bridal jewellery becoming a firmly establishedoption in the large US bridal market. According to anindependent survey conducted in the US, platinum’s shareof the first-time bridal market has increased from less than1% in 1992 to 40% in 2000.EuropePlatinum JewelleryDemand for platinum from European jewellery manufacturersin 2000 is estimated to have increased by some 8% to200 000 ounces. The four major platinum jewellery fabricatingcountries in Europe are Italy, Germany, the United Kingdomand Switzerland. Italian jewellery fabricators manufacturemost of their platinum jewellery for export and Germany isalso an important exporter. Domestic demand in bothcountries remains firm on the back of successful marketsupport activities by the PGI, especially in the bridalmarket, but demand was affected towards the end of theyear by higher prices. In the UK, sales continued to expandin 2000, again in the bridal sector, with ongoing supportfrom Johnson Matthey, jewellery manufacturers and retailers.Hallmark statistics indicated a 29% increase during 2000 inthe number of platinum jewellery pieces marked, the tenthconsecutive year of increase. In Switzerland, an increase indemand for platinum watches, especially from South EastAsian countries and the USA, resulted in a 43% increase inproduction in 2000.ChinaDemand for platinum jewellery in China during 2000is expected to exceed 1,1 million ounces, which isapproximately 16% higher than the previous year’s figure.ANGLO PLATINUM continues to support the localplatinum jewellery industry by means of competitions,workshops, training and co-operative advertising.36